Women's basketball: CU Buffs' Ky Weston set for homecoming

Freshman will play in front of 'fan club' against UMKC

Stepping on the court Sunday at Missouri-Kansas City won't be that big of a deal to Ky Weston.

Walking in the front door of her parents' K.C. home, now that will be a special moment the Colorado women's basketball freshman.

"Seeing my mom, seeing my dad, I can't wait to see them," said Weston, who starred at Kansas City's Park Hill High School.

Today, Weston and the Buffs (1-0) will take on Missouri-Kansas City (2-1) in their first road test of the young season.

While spending a few hours at home will likely be the highlight of the trip, Weston knows she and her teammates have business to tend to.

"I expect it to be a little better (than the Buffs' 70-65 win over Idaho) because of what we've been doing in practice, fixing mistakes from the previous game," said Weston, who had no points and four rebounds in her collegiate debut. "I expect it to be a lot better and tempo to be faster and things like that. It should be a lot better, actually."

Head coach Linda Lappe is expecting that, too. Against Idaho, the Buffs did not play good defense or rebound like she wants them to and she needs to see that improve.

"Those are two things we have to be good at it, because we can and that's who we are," she said. "I was disappointed with both of those things in the last game, but they are things that are very correctable."

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In addition to improvement, Lappe is eager to see how her team reacts to its first road trip. It's a veteran team, but the Buffs do have five freshmen that will experience a road game for the first time.

"We're excited about going on the road," Lappe said. "Just to see how we compete in a different environment and an environment we're not used to and how we persevere. There's going to be some challenges, as with any road trip, so we'll just have to take those as they come and get through them."

For Weston, it's her one chance this year to play in front of her fan club and in her hometown.

"I'll have old basketball teammates, coaches, family and some of my friends will be there," she said.

She's not worried about putting on a show for them, however.

"I just have to go out there and make sure they know that I made the right decision and be happy and be excited when I come out," she said.

Follow Brian on Twitter: @BrianHowell33.

TODAY: The Colorado Buffaloes (1-0; 21-14 in 2011-12) visit the Missouri-Kansas City Kangaroos (2-1; 22-12 in 2011-12) in a noon game at Swinney Recreation Center in Kansas City, Mo.

STORY LINES: This is Colorado's first road game of the season. . ... CU was 9-8 away from Boulder last season, including 4-0 during the non-conference portion of the regular season. ... The Buffs defeated Idaho 70-65 in their season opener on Nov. 9. ... CU senior point guard Chucky Jeffery has yet to make her season debut. She was suspended for the opener, as well as a Nov. 2 exhibition game, for violating team rules. As of Saturday night, it was not determined if Jeffery would be allowed to play against the Kangaroos. ... UMKC coach Marsha Frese is the sister of Brenda Frese, the head coach of No. 5 Maryland. ... Brittany Wilson (18 points, 6 rebounds) and Arielle Roberson (16 points, 6 rebounds) led the Buffs against Idaho.